The lightweight division ignites with a striker’s paradise on the prelims of UFC 323 as veteran knockout artist Edson “Junior” Barboza (24-13-0) collides with the returning Jalin “The Tarantula” Turner (14-9-0) on Saturday, December 6, 2025. Barboza, the 39-year-old Brazilian legend ranked No. 15 in the division, enters desperate to snap a two-fight skid and prove his Muay Thai mastery still carries him at an age where most peers have faded. His iconic leg kicks and spinning wheel KO highlights have earned 10 Fight of the Night bonuses, but recent decisions to Lerone Murphy and Drakkar Klose exposed vulnerabilities in pace and grappling defense. Turner, the 30-year-old southpaw phenom unranked but once a Top 15 staple, emerges from a nine-month retirement hiatus after back-to-back stoppage losses, including a shocking first-round triangle choke to Ignacio Bahamondes that prompted his emotional exit. With 10 KOs and a 77-inch reach advantage, Turner’s explosive counters and early finishes (71% of wins inside the distance) make him a live wire, but his 1-4 skid in the last five raises questions about mental fortitude and rust. This three-round barnburner—poised for bonus consideration—contrasts Barboza’s technical precision against Turner’s raw power, with the victor eyeing a rebound path toward ranked resurgence in a stacked 155-pound class.
Venue Location
The fireworks erupt at T-Mobile Arena in Paradise, Nevada (the Las Vegas Valley), at 3780 South Las Vegas Boulevard. This 20,000-seat behemoth, debuting in 2016 as the NHL’s Vegas Golden Knights’ fortress, has cradled 17 UFC spectacles, from the infamous UFC 229 brawl (McGregor vs. Khabib) to record-smashing PPVs. Perched beside the New York-New York Hotel & Casino and the electric Strip, it’s a logistics dream: Las Vegas Monorail (MGM Grand station) or rideshare depots (Uber/Lyft at Park MGM). Perks abound with a 360-degree video crown, fighter lounges, and concessions like “KO Wings” and premium mixology. As the UFC’s ESPN-era PPV swan song before the 2026 Paramount+ pivot, brace for a raucous, sold-out frenzy of 19,500+; tickets via AXS/Ticketmaster kick off at $175 for prelim uppers, with T-Mobile valet at $65/night.
Time: 8:00 p.m. ET (5:00 p.m. PT) for prelims (Barboza-Turner slotted around 8:30 p.m. ET)
Broadcast: ESPN/ESPN+ (prelims), ESPN+ PPV (main card at 10:00 p.m. ET). Early prelims on ESPN+ at 7:00 p.m. ET; international via UFC Fight Pass. SiriusXM Fight Nation (Ch. 93) for radio.
Injury Report
Both warriors check in cleared after clean weigh-ins at 155 lbs, with no lingering issues flagged in Friday’s medicals. Barboza’s February 2025 withdrawal from a Steve Garcia bout stemmed from an undisclosed injury (recovered by August’s Klose fight), but he’s logged full camps since. Turner’s March 2025 retirement post-Bahamondes tap cited mental fatigue and damage accumulation rather than physical woes—no surgeries or setbacks in his nine-month layoff. Expect minor cut dehydration but peak readiness.
| Fighter | Status | Recent Injury History | Notes |
| Edson Barboza | Cleared | Undisclosed (Feb. 2025; sidelined UFC Fight Night 252 bout vs. Garcia) | Full recovery; no restrictions, Muay Thai focus intact |
| Jalin Turner | Cleared | None in 2025; retirement non-physical (mental/fatigue post-UFC 313) | Layoff reset; grappling/sharpshooting honed |
Fighter Matchups
Barboza’s orthodox kicking clinic (4.14 SLpM, 44% accuracy) clashes with Turner’s southpaw sniping (5.53 SLpM, 48% accuracy), but Turner’s 77″ reach (vs. 75″) and 6’3″ frame loom in clinches. Barboza’s 55% striking defense holds vs. volume, yet he absorbs 4.60/min—ripe for Turner’s power. Grappling tilts Turner (0.80 TD/15 min, 75% defense) over Barboza’s 73% stuff rate, but the Brazilian’s 0.43 TD avg. favors standup wars.
Striking: Technique vs. Explosive Reach
Barboza’s leg-kick setups (14 career KOs) test Turner’s 41% defense, landing 79 sig strikes vs. Murphy despite the loss. Turner’s counters (early KD vs. Moicano) exploit Barboza’s 4.60 absorption, with 77″ leverage for jabs. Edge: Turner early; Barboza if ranged (mirrors his Hooker KO).
Grappling: Opportunistic Takedowns vs. Scrambles
Turner’s subs (4 career, guillotine vs. Riddell) hunt Barboza’s 73% TD defense, stuffing 75% attempts. Barboza’s top control is rare (0.43 TD/15 min), but his sprawls neutralized Klose. Edge: Turner—Bahamondes tap highlights chain threats.
Cardio & Durability: Veteran Grind vs. Rust Factor
Barboza’s decisions (54% losses) showcase tank (15 UFC bonuses), absorbing 220 strikes vs. Murphy. Turner’s finishes (71% wins, avg. 7:12 time) fade late (1-4 last 5). Edge: Barboza—age tests Turner’s nine-month hiatus.
Recent Form
Barboza is 1-4 in his last five (2023-25), blending a gritty UD win over Sodiq Yusuff (164-178 strikes) with stoppages like Quarantillo KO, but decisions to Murphy and Klose (71-53 strikes) signal waning explosiveness. Turner is 1-4 in last five, flashing Green KO (POTN) but crumbling via Moicano TKO and Bahamondes sub—his retirement stemmed from frustration.
| Last 5 Fights | Record | Key Win | Key Loss | Notes |
| Barboza | 1-4-0 | W-UD vs. Yusuff (Oct. 2023; 164 strikes) | L-UD vs. Klose (Aug. 2025) | 80% to decision lately; 10th FOTN vs. Murphy |
| Turner | 1-4-0 | W-KO vs. Green (Dec. 2023; Rd.1, POTN) | L-Sub vs. Bahamondes (Mar. 2025; Rd.1) | 100% finishes in wins; 4/5 losses by stoppage |
Fight History
Debut clash—no priors. Barboza’s UFC: 18-13, KOs over Burgos, Quarantillo; losses to Adesanya, Chandler. Turner’s UFC: 7-6, subs over Riddell; defeats to Gamrot, Hooker (splits). Analogs: Barboza 7-3 vs. southpaws; Turner 3-2 vs. veterans.
| Date | Barboza Result | Turner Result | Notes |
| N/A | First meeting | First meeting | Barboza 18-13 UFC; Turner 7-6 UFC |
Betting Trends
Barboza is 4-6 SU last 10, 5-5 ATS; public shuns him (65% on favorites), but 7-3 Over in losses. He’s 2-8 SU post-40, yet 9-1 KO vs. taller foes. Turner is 1-4 SU last 5, 2-3 ATS; sharps hammer his ML (70% handle), but 4/5 Under 1.5. Analogs: Barboza 3-7 vs. -200+ dogs; Turner 4-1 as fave pre-skid. Public 62% Turner ML; trends favor early finish (Turner 6/7 UFC KOs Rd.1-2).
Trends: Barboza 8/10 Over 1.5; Turner 7/7 UFC Under 2.5. Barboza 1-4 SU 2025; Turner 0-2 SU 2025.
FIGHT ODDS
Edson Barboza + 235
Jalin Turner – 290
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, December 5, 2025
